Originally Posted by
Check Essential
If the tug was hooked up and no chocks were stuck, Delta rampers used to just remove them without asking and say "Ground to cockpit - ready to push".
If a chock was stuck they would say, "Mornin' Captain, we need to pull you forward a bit".
Now, as I understand it, if we do it by the book, the tug driver is supposed to say "Brakes set for chock removal" every time. (although that's not happening at most F-DAL stations) and if a chock is stuck they then have to follow the brakes set thing with a request to release brakes.
Whatever. No big deal. Its just an extra step. I don't really have any heartburn with it since it promotes more awareness I guess.
Personally, I don't care what we do and if it changes it will be just one more change. It is funny though, because it is the same at the F-NWA stations where a high percentage of the time, the chocks were already removed before the FO even did the walk around.
Personally, I think it has more to do with the northern stations during the winter. Slippery ramps and gusty winds. Now we keep the brakes set on windy/icy days all the time, but my guess would be that it is a carry over from past history and keeping it as safe as possible for the ground guys.
I am surprised that anyone from the south would have heartburn if it is due to liability concerns, I mean, isn't that why the checklists are straight from Boeing (at least that is the rumor that I hear on the line).